EPITAPH ON DR. PARNELL. THIS tomb, inscribed to gentle Parnell's name, May speak our gratitude, but not his fame. What heart but feels his sweetly moral lay, That leads to truth through pleasure's flowery way! Celestial themes confess'd his tuneful aid; And Heaven, that lent him genius, was repaid, Needless to him the tribute we bestow, The transitory breath of fame below: More lasting rapture from his works shall rise, While converts thank their poet in the skies. EPITAPH ON EDWARD PURDON. HERE lies poor Ned Purdon, from misery freed, Who long was a bookseller's hack; He led such a damnable life in this world— PROLOGUE, WRITTEN AND SPOKEN BY THE POET LABERIUS, WHOM CÆSAR FORCED UPON THE STAGE. PRESERVED BY MACROBIUS. WHAT! no way Unawed by power, and unappal'd by fear, PROLOGUE ΤΟ THE TRAGEDY OF ZOBEIDE. IN these bold times, when learning's sons explore And quit for Venus many a brighter here; To make an observation on the shore. Where are we driven? our reckoning sure is lost! This seems a rocky and a dangerous coast. Lord! what a sultry climate am I under! them [Pit. Here trees of stately size-and billing turtles in them Here ill condition'd oranges abound [Balconies. [Stage. And apples, bitter apples strew the ground: [Tasting them. The' inhabitants are cannibals, I fear: I heard a hissing-there are serpents here! [her, This is his first adventure; lend him aid, What, no reply to promises so ample? [far, -I'd best step back-and order up a sample. EPILOGUE, SPOKEN BY Mr. Lee Lewes, IN THE CHARACTER OF HARLEQUIN AT HIS BENEFIT. HOLD! prompter, hold! a word before your non sense; I'd speak a word or two to ease my conscience. My pride forbids it ever should be said, My heels eclipsed the honours of my head; That I found humour in a piebald vest, [Takes off his Mask. Ay, 'twas but a dream, for now there's no retreat- [shanks, The deuce confound (he cries) these drumstick They neither have my gratitude nor thanks: They're perfectly disgraceful! strike me dead! But for a head-yes, yes, I have a head. How piercing is that eye! how sleek that brow! My horns!-I'm told, horns are the fashion now,' Whilst thus he spoke, astonish'd! to his view, Near and more near the hounds and huntsmen drew. [hind, Hoicks! hark forward! came thundering from beHe bounds aloft, outstrips the fleeting wind: He quits the woods, and tries the beaten ways; He starts, he pants, he takes the circling maze. At length his silly head, so prized before, Is taught his former folly to deplore; Whilst his strong limbs conspire to set him free, And at one bound he saves himself, like me. [Taking a jump through the Stage Door. EPILOGUE ΤΟ Mrs. Charlotte Lennor's COMEDY OF THE SISTER.' WHAT! five long acts—and all to make us wiser! Well, since she thus has shown her want of skill, But how! ay, there's the rub! [pausing]—I've got my cue: The world's a masquerade! the maskers, you, you, [To Boxes, Pit, and Gallery. you. |